Director, Innovation Exchange

American Bureau of Shipping•Spring, TX

About The Position

Primary role is to provide strategic leadership in the introduction, application, and scaling of new technologies, ensuring alignment of innovation deliverables and timelines with business priorities and stakeholder expectations. Coordinates closely with Technology, Strategy, and senior leadership to ensure Innovation Exchanges are equipped with the appropriate talent, facilities, hardware, software, and infrastructure to support research, experimentation, and commercialization activities. The role requires strong knowledge development orientation to effectively engage with Maritime Academies and external partners, fostering knowledge transfer, training, and collaborative innovation. Partnering with Corporate Strategy to support the evaluation of venture capital and entrepreneurial opportunities, bringing an enterprise wide, innovation driven mindset to emerging business models and technologies. The role has global responsibility for coordinating activities across multiple Innovation Exchanges.

Requirements

15 years of relevant engineering experience in a shipyard, design/consulting office, shipping company, university, or a classification society preferred.
A Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent in Engineering.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language, with the ability to effectively represent the Innovation Exchanges to internal and external stakeholders.
Experience and expertise in classification, marine technology, the marine industry, and strategic client and partner engagement.
Working knowledge of the ABS Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Management System.
Knowledge of applicable Rules and regulations, including their development, application, interpretation, and impact on research outcomes and industry practices.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to build high‑performing teams, foster collaboration, and maintain positive client relationships.
Ability to conceptualize, evaluate, and drive innovative solutions to complex technical and organizational challenges.
Strategic planning capability, including short and long‑term research road‑mapping, prioritization of initiatives, and effective allocation of resources.
Experience overseeing research programs, tracking project performance, managing budgets, and ensuring efficient utilization of facilities, equipment, and resources.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in appropriate discipline preferred.
Experience leading collaborative research, development, and training initiatives with universities, maritime academies, industry partners, and research institutions is preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify emerging industry trends, regulatory developments, and competitor activities through ongoing market and business intelligence. Recommend new R&D, sandbox, and pilot initiatives to senior management, and lead or support the development of robust business cases for potential product and service innovations.
Coordinate closely with the Technology leadership team and other corporate and operational groups to ensure timely delivery of innovation initiatives and consistency in technical content. Effectively communicate the optimal use and integration of ABS technologies, services, and products to both internal and external stakeholders.
Direct and guide the development and execution of innovation, R&D, and sandbox projects in collaboration with Technology management, the Strategy team, and other stakeholders. Responsibilities include: Ensuring alignment with corporate, business unit, technology, innovation, and product strategies; Support the development of business cases, project proposals, product roadmaps, and supporting marketing and commercialization materials; Defining resource requirements, project plans, and development schedules; Monitoring technical progress and reviewing key technical and commercial deliverables;
Develop, implement, and maintain process instructions and governance frameworks to appropriately capture innovation and R&D activities. Ensure consistent application of management systems, process controls, and key performance indicators, monitor compliance, and report variances to line management.
Partner with internal stakeholders to evaluate new business ideas emerging from the Innovation Exchanges, assessing technical maturity, scalability, market readiness, and commercial viability.
Build and maintain strategic partnerships with Maritime Academies, universities, and research institutions to advance innovation, applied research, and workforce development initiatives.
Manage the Innovation Exchange as an active sandbox for mid to high readiness technologies that bridge research and commercial deployment within ABS. Success will be measured by the number of technology companies and startups attracted, underscoring the Exchange’s position as a maritime innovation hub.
Manage Innovation Exchanges expenses within the approved budget, monitor financial performance, and proactively advise line management of actual or potential budget variances.
Coordinate and oversee global Innovation Exchanges activities.
Lead, mentor, and evaluate direct reports, providing timely performance feedback and development guidance through established HR systems. Support the development of a high‑performing, innovation‑focused culture.